Google Android catch-all

MannishBoy wrote:

I personally don't want to pay for another data connection, so I'm fine with using the processing already in my phone.

You wouldn't have another connection. Your car would connect through your phone.

Kurrelgyre wrote:

Isn't that basically what they've done? Also, during that time the hardware running Android Auto wouldn't be updated. Think about how long you can stand to use an Android device (or expect security updates for it) in general before replacing it.

If it was designed properly it would be upgradable, but most phones start having issues because of the battery failing after a few years, which wouldn't be a problem in a car.

I got to use Android Auto in a rental car last year, and now I'm very sad that my car doesn't have it. Mine has Sync, which was super cool in 2011, but now it's annoying because 100% of the time I'm in the car, I'm streaming podcasts from my phone via bluetooth, and the only way to switch to bluetooth is via voice command.

Android Auto does support pocketcasts, which is great for me, but yeah, I do remember disliking the limitations they put in for browsing and searching using that, Google Music, and Maps. I get that it's a safety thing to limit you to voice searches, but if I've got a passenger, I'd love for them to be able to do that stuff.

Yesterday, I did a worst case scenario battery test on my Pixel 3. I got up at 4:40a, listened to podcasts while walking the dog and then my full commute, heavier than usual usage during the day at work, and then normal evening internet browsing. When I went to bed at midnight, the battery was still at 35%. My old phone would've been dead by halfway through the commute home in that same scenario. Yay new battery.

kazar wrote:
MannishBoy wrote:

I personally don't want to pay for another data connection, so I'm fine with using the processing already in my phone.

You wouldn't have another connection. Your car would connect through your phone.

Which is tethering, which I don't pay for on my old truly unlimited Sprint connection.

I love Android Auto, even on just my phone's screen as my new-to-me used car only has bluetooth. The nav is way better then my 3 year old Audi's stuff.

I don't even always start it up. Sometimes I just use bluetooth if it's a quick drive. But I can still always use Google Assistant to launch Android Auto by voice in a few seconds if I need a more driving touch friendly interface for maps or my media.

Only thing I would have prefered over Android Auto on the dash that I've personally seen is the Audi/VW Virtual Cockpit integration of Google maps in the actual gauge cluster.

MannishBoy wrote:
kazar wrote:
MannishBoy wrote:

I personally don't want to pay for another data connection, so I'm fine with using the processing already in my phone.

You wouldn't have another connection. Your car would connect through your phone.

Which is tethering, which I don't pay for on my old truly unlimited Sprint connection.

I love Android Auto, even on just my phone's screen as my new-to-me used car only has bluetooth. The nav is way better then my 3 year old Audi's stuff.

I don't even always start it up. Sometimes I just use bluetooth if it's a quick drive. But I can still always use Google Assistant to launch Android Auto by voice in a few seconds if I need a more driving touch friendly interface for maps or my media.

Only thing I would have prefered over Android Auto on the dash that I've personally seen is the Audi/VW Virtual Cockpit integration of Google maps in the actual gauge cluster.

I don't feel like we are talking about the same thing. I am talking about how things should be, not how they are today. The whole "I don't pay for tethering" is due to a morally corrupt telecom system trying to charge for things they shouldn't be allowed to charge for. In my ideal world that isn't an issue and I was talking about how I want things to work, where the car entertainment system is it's own android instance.

kazar wrote:

I don't feel like we are talking about the same thing. I am talking about how things should be, not how they are today. The whole "I don't pay for tethering" is due to a morally corrupt telecom system trying to charge for things they shouldn't be allowed to charge for. In my ideal world that isn't an issue and I was talking about how I want things to work, where the car entertainment system is it's own android instance.

OK, but I'm talking about real world issues, not morality of business practices. I don't want either to 1) pay for a car subscription service to do what I can already do with my phone, or 2) to pay more on a service I already have.

So I'm happy with Android Auto assuming current realities of data connections. I'm actually better off not having a stand alone Android platform in my car.

Plus, it keeps things in sync on one device on apps that don't do as well with cloud syncing, especially in areas with spotty data. I prefer to download and delete vs streaming on podcasts and audiobooks for this reason.

Project Fi is now Google Fi. One day only sale on devices. Get travel credit equal to phone price for Delta, Southwest, etc.

Also non Fi phones, including iPhones can now sign up. Won't get all the network switching, but still cheap bills.

$80 a month plus taxes and fees doesn't seem like a cheap bill to me. I mean even at 4-5 lines, it is ~$50 per line plus taxes and fees.

fangblackbone wrote:

$80 a month plus taxes and fees doesn't seem like a cheap bill to me. I mean even at 4-5 lines, it is ~$50 per line plus taxes and fees.

What?

I found that you have to be really light on Data usage on Fi.. at $10 a GB it can add up quick to the base $20 a month.

I found for people that are cost concerned the new Sprint unlimited and the T-Mobile unlimited seem to be the best deal ~$40-$50 a month.

Yep, Fi is great if you are always near wifi, otherwise you're always worried about using data

I'm naturally a low data user, so Fi has been great for me. If you're gonna sign up, here's a link for you to use!

I'm still a little salty that I spent more than I necessarily wanted to on a Pixel 3 in early November, figuring there'd be no real discounts on their flagship phone for at least several months. Then they go and give several significant discounts in the month after I got it.

Yeah I've only had one bill over $32 in 27 months or so

T mobile isn't a good a deal as it used to be, since they dropped kick back offer we currently have, which gives us 3 lines for $80 a month. But 3 lines for $100 isn't bad either.

It costs about $50/month for our two lines. It does suck to be worried about data, though.

Turns out I don't need to stream HD video on the bus so a great deal for me.

I use Republic Wireless, which is a lot like Google Fi. I pay about $50/month for 6 gigs of data, which I never use up even though I'm a total data whore. Back when I had to be more cost-conscious I was more careful about data usage-- used it only for Google Maps and checking Twitter-- and my bills regularly came to under $20 a month. I think I was on either the 1 gig plan or maybe the 0.5 gig back then.

So there's that.

So I nabbed my Pixel3xl and am working on setting it up.
Am I crazy or is the wifi password backup option missing?

Also what have people used in general for transferring data to a pixel? I'm moving from a S7 edge.

lunchbox12682 wrote:

So I nabbed my Pixel3xl and am working on setting it up.
Am I crazy or is the wifi password backup option missing?

Also what have people used in general for transferring data to a pixel? I'm moving from a S7 edge.

I just did this from a Samsung phone to Motorola. Go to your settings menu and hit Google. Scroll down to "Set up nearby device" and hit it. Do the same on the Pixel and you enter a code thingy (oh and make sure both phones have Bluetooth on and are on the same wi-fi network) and then everything starts transferring, including wi-fi passwords.

Well my v20 bricked. Caught in a constant bootload. Going to see if I can still get it fixed but not looking good.

Bit the bullet and got a Pixel 3. Very impressed so far. Pretty clear if you are going to submit to a full Google lifestyle the Pixel line is going to be your choice phone. Full surrender over here.

I am looking at the Pixel line as well, but am kind of torn if I want to get in with them or go with a Samsung device.

I ended up grabbing the Pixel 3xl on sale during Thanksgiving, in part because there were no Samsung discounts for Sprint customers. So far, I am super happy. Just not having all of the carrier or Samsung bullsh*t apps is a bonus.

Yeah, the Samsung bloat is kind of a downer, for sure.

I still have the Pixel 2 XL and love it, but I kind of wish I could trade up to the 3 XL. They offer a pretty deep trade-in discount and are currently offering another $100 off, but I don't need a new phone yet, nor do I have the money for one right now. But dang, do I wants the new pretty!

I just want to trade from Pixel 1 to 2 I think, if possible. Battery life is starting to drag after 26 months or so.

Stele wrote:

I just want to trade from Pixel 1 to 2 I think, if possible. Battery life is starting to drag after 26 months or so.

Currently booted into Safe mode to troubleshoot battery issues with my Pixel 1. The damn thing has started blinking off if I try to use the camera with less than 50% charge. Unacceptable in a device I purchased for the camera. Pretty sure I won't cross the two year mark until March and I've been paying for the protection plan. Upgrading would be nice, but I don't know if I can stomach the flagship price since I will need to upgrade two devices. I haven't seen the non XL Pixel 2 anywhere official anymore. Did it get dropped?

Rezzy wrote:
Stele wrote:

I just want to trade from Pixel 1 to 2 I think, if possible. Battery life is starting to drag after 26 months or so.

Currently booted into Safe mode to troubleshoot battery issues with my Pixel 1. The damn thing has started blinking off if I try to use the camera with less than 50% charge. Unacceptable in a device I purchased for the camera. Pretty sure I won't cross the two year mark until March and I've been paying for the protection plan. Upgrading would be nice, but I don't know if I can stomach the flagship price since I will need to upgrade two devices. I haven't seen the non XL Pixel 2 anywhere official anymore. Did it get dropped?

Maybe you've already mentioned and I missed it, but have you spoken with their customer service? I'd imagine that's covered under their protection plan. Or they'd at least replace it for a fee smaller than the purchase price.

Also Google's store still has the Pixel 2 (non-XL) 64GB listed as available in black and white, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're weening off production of those in favor of the Pixel 3 and the rumored 3 Lite.

Also also, you should be able to trade in your Pixel for a discount on the flagship, it might be worth looking into...

My OG Pixel XL is still going strong. Battery still sometimes lasts almost 2 days.

Which is good, because it's kind of the perfect phone for me and it seems to have no current even rough equivalent on the market*. The day I have to replace it will be... bad.

*What I mean when I say this is stock android, no bloatware, and a headphone jack.

I really don't mind the missing headphone jack a ton. I'm never charging and listening tho so.

I miss my headphone jack. The little USB-C/headphone adapters are cheap and crappy and die regularly.

As wipeout says, the google store still has the Pixel 2 non-XL. But the Fi store only has the XL. And that's where there's extra $$ for trading in and account credit. I'd basically have no bill for 10-11 months with what they are offering now. But I'm not sure I want the XL.

I'll probably stick it out a few more months and go to the 3 eventually, when there's a similar credit deal or sale.